How to Identify Black & White Snakes in the Southwest

Look for a rattle on the end of the snake's tail. This is one of several types of rattlesnakes, snakes that shake their tails to warn away anyone who threatens them. When shaken, the tail emits a tell-tale "rattling" noise. Some rattlesnakes, like the western diamondback, have black and white stripes just before the tail rattle. The Mojave rattlesnake may appear black and white, with spots of brown or olive green.

Identify coral snakes by looking for red stripes. Coral snakes have stripes of black, red and pale yellow, which can look slightly white. Their bites are very poisonous. Coral snakes do not typically bite, unless handled or bothered. These snakes are often seen in the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona. They may resemble other snakes, such as the Arizona Mountain king snake, which are not poisonous. To determine if it is a coral snake, look at the bands. If the red touches the yellow band, it is poisonous.

Look for different black and white patterns. The common king snake, found in mountainous areas and deserts, is black and white, and may have a variety of patterns on it. These patterns include stripes, speckles or bands. These snakes are unlikely to bite humans, since they attack prey by constricting it. They are also non-venomous.

Examine the snake's belly, if possible. The cottonmouth is a snake that may be almost completely black with a white underbelly. These snakes have been found in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Cottonmouths have a broad head, heavy body and thin, long tail. Their bites are poisonous, although most cottonmouths tend to flee when provoked.

Look at the width of the snake's stripes. If the snake is mostly white with thin black stripes, it may be a banded sand snake. This snake also has no distinct neck, with its head a continuous part of the body. The banded sand snake is not poisonous, and it is not likely to bite.